Shelving.



v PATENTED JUNE '16, 1903.

G. W. SUBS. SHELVING. An moguon FILED my 31, 1902.

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' G. W. SUBS.

SHELVING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1902.

(L5 L 3. i L l 26 i i PVITNESSES: [NVENTORI PATENT Patented June 16,1903.

OFFICE.

GEORGE W. SUES, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

S-HELVINGL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '730,984,dated June-16, 1903. 7 Application filed May 31, I902. Serial No.109.818. (No model.)

To all whom, it ntcty concern.

Beitkuown that I, GEORGE W. SUES, residing at 1321 South Thirty-thirdstreet, Omaha, in the county of Douglasv and State of Ne-I braska,haveinvented certain usefulImprovements in Shelving; and I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will en-. able others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same,.reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecilication. V

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in shelving.

The aim of my invention is-to provide a mobile or changeable shelf thatmay be expanded inadding toit successive elements and comprises a commonbase and top, intermediate shelves, and risers and being so constructedthat the shelving may be easily assembled and readily taken apart ordisassembled. l

In carrying out the object of myinvention I provide two end members, asa top and bottom shelf, which I unite by means of aconnectionas a wirestrand, for instancea plurality of interposed risers being removablyheldbetween said end members, and secure a takeup mechanism to theconnection, so that the same maybe strained to rigidity under force toprovide a solid structure normally under a strain or tension, as will bedescribed more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawingslhave shown in Figure 1 a front view of anordinary storeshelf embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 shows a top view ofthe base shelf or lower end member, disclosing three risers in position.Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of one of the ris ers as used in myinvention. Fig. 4 shows a side view of oneof the take-up mechanisms asused in my invention. Fig. 5-shows a front view of aforesaid take-upmechanism. Fig. 6 shows a top view of one of the sliding doorkeepers.Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of aforesaid sliding door-keeper. Fig. 8shows a modification of the take-up mechanism as used in connection withmy invention. Fig. 9 shows a vertical elevation with portions brokenaway, disclosinga bookcase constructed according to my invention. Fig.10 discloses an end view showing the method of packing and storing myshelving, the risers being detached in this view. Fig. 11 shows,

sections for the sake 'of economy, as narrow boards may be boughtcheaper than wide boards. Fig. 12 shows a broken end view of themodification disclosed in Fig. 11. Fig.

13 discloses a shelf structure embodying my invention, showing twoelements connected. Fig. 14 discloses the broken upper end of a riserprovided with the slot used to contain a door-keeper when these casesare provided with a glass door; Fig. 15 shows a broken end view of adoor,sho wing the slot used therein to'accommodate the roller portionofone of my sliding door-keepers. Fig. 16 shows a broken detached detaildisclosing the position of the keeper in dotted lines, while Fig. 17shows a broken detached view of a door held in a horizontal position,also disclosing a keeper in dotted lines.

The object of my invention is to provide a shelving which shall benoticeable because of its simplicity, mobility, or changeableness,adaptability to be enlarged or reduced in capacity, while the primefeature is embodied in the economy of construction.

Ashelving constructed according to my present invention is elastic,mobile,or changeable in that the distance between the shelves may belessened or increased, while shelves and risers. may be added oreliminated, as maybe desired, and which when the shelf is to be removedmay be also instantly disassembled in releasing the take-up mechanism,so that this shelving may be packed in the smallest com-.

pass. My shelfelements are further adjustably and removably held inposition between the two end members, so that each separate riser may beenlarged or decreased.

In carrying out the aim of my invention I provide the lower end member1, which may be a shelf of any suitable length, width, or thickness,with the front piece 2 and the end pieces 3. This lower end member 1 ispro-,

vided with the end openings :0 and interme diate openings 2, as is shownin Fig. 2, and through these openings are extended the wire vconnections used in holding the shelf together. Placed upon this lowershelf or mem- -view of an ordinary wire-stretcher.

her 1 are a plurality of risers 5, which are of a suitable width andheight, and in order to add to its appearance each riser is provided infront with an einbellishing-strip 6, as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.Upon these first series of risers is placed the first shelf 4, the wireconnections in the meantime being strung through the six counterpartopenings :r and a, registering with the openings within the lower member1, when another series of risers 5 are used, upon which the next shelf 4is placed, and so on until the upper end member or top shelf 1 isreached, which is also provided with the registering openings to and a,through which the connections are passed and finally secured to asuitable takeup mechanism 9, as shown. In order to insure the properalinement of the risers 5 and in order to add to the rigidity of thestructure, each riser 5 is provided in the rear with a slot 7, as isdisclosed in Fig. 3, within which the wire connection is held.

In order to show how the distance between the shelves may be changed, Ihave disclosed in Fig. 1 a number of stub-risers 8, which have beenplaced upon the risers 5, so that the shelf has been raised a heightcorresponding to the height of these stub-risers.

Various take-up mechanisms can be used; but I find the best results areobtained in using any one of the well-known wire-stretchers upon themarket, and in Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown, respectively, a side andfront These wire-stretchers comprise the frames 9, holding a spindle orspool 10, provided with an opening a", the projecting operating-stem 11,and a ratchet-wheel 12. In connection with this ratchet-wheel anordinary sliding pawl 13 is used, as disclosed in Fig. 4. Now inunitingashelf structure-as disclosed in Fig. 1', for instance-a-suitablewire a, would be secured to the end member 1 and would be extendedthrough the successive shelves and finally be passed through thespindle-opening a,when an ordinary wrench would be applied to theoperating-stem 11, and the drums 10 would be turned to wind the wireupon the same. In winding this wire the same would finally be stretched,sothat the two end members 1 and 1 would, by means of this wireconnection, be connected under tension to unite said end members andsecurely hold the interposed risers and shelves between said end membersto strain them together to rigidity under an elastic force, depending,of course, upon the elasticity of the wire. It is of course well knownthat each wire strand is elastic to a certain degree, and in the piano,mandolin, and several other instruments this elasticity of a wire isused to determine the pitch or tone to which the wire is strung. In mypreseut invention, however, I rely upon this elasticity of the wireconnection to provide a connection by means of which the elements may bestrained to rigidity under force to provide a solid shelf structure. Byactual experiments I find that in well-seasoned furniture lumber, whenthe risers are cut so that the grain of the lumber runs vertically, theelasticity of a plurality of wires is sufficient to rigidly and firmlyunite a shelf structure according to my invention. In the lighter gradesof woodsas pine and poplar, for instance-and which are, further, moresusceptible to the atmospheric conditions as relates to humidity, andespecially in the cheaper grades of shelving where no varnish, stain, orpaint is used, I find the fluctuation in the risers incident to theatmospheric changes so great that the elasticity within the wire itselfis not sufficient to take up the same in a shelf structure of anyconsiderable height.

In order to enhance and'increase the unit or feature of elasticity in myshelf construction, I interpose, preferably below the lower end member1, referring now to Fig. 9, an ordinary U-shaped spring b, which springis provided with two end perforations, through which the wire connectiona is guided, and then passing successively through the shelves andriser-slots, as is disclosed in Fig. 9, bein g secured above to thetake-up mechanism 9. From this it will be noticed that in my shelfstructure I have practically a vice, the two jaws of which arerepresented by the end members 1 and 1', between which are clamped theinterposed shelves and risers, the wire connection and take-up mechanismrepresenting the means by which the jaws are forced toward one another.Now as the interposed instrumentalities in the form of the shelves andrisers are likely to elongate or contract it is absolutely necessary tohold said members together under tension, so that the structure may bestrained to rigidity.

In order to cheapen the shelf structure and because it is somewhatinconvenient to string the shelves 4 upon the wire connections, the endmembers 1 and 1 may be provided with but one opening near each end. InFig. 12 a broken detail is shown where but one connection a is used.Further, instead of slotting the riser along one vertical edge I providethe riser with a groove upon one side, as is shown in Fig. 11, intowhich groove the connecting-wire a fits. As narrow boards can be boughtvery much cheaper than wide boards, I use two narrow shelf members 4 4,as is shown in Figs. 11 and 12, between which the connection extends, sothat the wire is really only connected to the two end members, so thatthe interposed instrumentalities can be quickly and easily inserted. Asa matter of fact, the groove to contain the wire may be entirelyeliminated and the wires placed adjacent the inner or outer fiatsurfaces of the risers, and it will be noticed that in Figs. 2 and 9 theforward connections are placed adjacent the risers 5, beinghidden,however, by means of the embellishing-strips 6.

If, however, an exceedingly strong structure is desired, the riser maybe slotted at each vertical end, as is shown in Fig. 13, through v abletake-up mechanism 17.

Where the shelving is intended to be provided with additional elements,I prefer using a take-up mechanism in the form of a turnbuckle 17, thethreaded stems 18 of which are provided with the cars 19, holding pins'20, upon which are movably held the eccentric levers 21, between whichlevers and the members 19 the wire is pinched, being wound up at theend, so that the same may be subsequently unwound as the shelf structureis lengthened, as is disclosed in Figs. 13 and 8.

WVhen it is desired to use glass doors in connection with my shelfstructure, the risers 5, as disclosed in Fig. 14, are provided along oneupper edge with the upper shoulder e and the vertical shoulder c, asisclearly indicated in Fig. 14. Theriser5is further provided near theupper inner edge with a slot or seatingf and near the rear edge with thegroove b, adapted to receive the back 31. Near the forward edge a squareportion of each riser 5 is cut away, as is shown at 25, and is thenreinserted and secured by means of a suitable screw 26, so that whenthis block 25 is removed the seatingfis exposed in front.

Working in connection with the slotted grooved riser 5 is a door-framecomprising the upper member 29., the lower member 27, and the endmembers 28, which at the outer edge and near the upper end are providedwith the seatings 30, as ,shown in Fig. 15, which, however, are providedwith a lateral slot m, as indicated. NVithin this door-frame is held asuitable, glass plate a. It will be noticed that the seating f is alittle wider than the seating 30. In'securing these doors comprising themembers 27, 28, and 29 after the shelf structure has been properlyassembled and is being rigidly held together the forward blocks 25 areremoved, when one of my keepers is inserted in placing the boss 16 intothe seating 30, and then inserting the major portion or largest member14 into the seating or groove fand then shoving the door inward, so thatthe keeper will be held within the slots or seatingsf and 30. The blocks25 are then again placed in position.

The keepers used in connection with my invention comprise an elongatedmember 14, preferably having a stem or boss 15, upon which revolves aroller 16, so that the doors are supported at each side upon one ofthese rollers 16.

The operation of opening one of the doors constructed according to myinvention would be as follows: Normally the doors hang upon the rollers16 within the upper end of the door-slot 30, the door-keeper 14 beingwithin the forward end of the slotf. In raising the lower portion of thedoor into a horizontal position the door can be readily pushed back onthe rollers 16 within the slot 30 until the end of the slot isencountered, when the keeper proper would begin to be pushed back-,

ward within the slot f. Later the door-frame would rest upon the uppershoulder a. In closing the door it would be simply necessary to draw thesame forward until the keeper found a seating within the forward end ofthe seating f and within the upper end of the groove or seating 30. Inbringing the seating 30 within the door-frame nearer one edge than theother enables the door to be hung so that it will hang slightly inwardor outward, depending upon which side of the center of gravity this slotis positioned. Where these glass doors are used, it is also desirable tohave backs, and I use nothing more than a board 31, slightly beveledalong its vertical edges, so as to fit into a slot b, as is disclosed inFig. 14, to form a back, as disclosed in Fig. 16. In this construction Ialso prefer to use but one end connection, made to pass through thegroove a, as shown in Figs. 14 and 16.

In shipping shelving constructed according to my invention theintermediate shelves and the top are simply packed upon the'base, as isshown in Fig. 10, the connections being wound up and the risers beingpacked adjacent to or upon the top of the shelf. This enables theshelving being shipped under a cheaper classification than furniture.

Another great advantage in shelving constructed according to myinvention is found that in case of fire where the goods are simplydamaged by water my shelving will not come apart upon being thoroughlysoaked, as the several parts simply slightly expand and later dry intheir position, and the shelf structure in-no way becomes separated.Then should at any time the shelf be disassembled the shelf-boardsproper will be in as good a condition as the day they left the factory,for

the reason that they will in no Way be marred,

as no nails or screws are driven through the shelving and the boards arein no way scarred, this being especially true where narrow boards areused-as in Fig. 11, for instance, in which figure the risers 5' aresimply held upon two plane boards 4 4, it being understood that no glue,screws, nails, dovetailing or mortising and tenoning are used in myshelf construction; and,

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by United States Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with two end members, of a connection under tensionuniting said end members, a plurality of interposed risers removablebetween said end members, and a take-up mechanism secured'to saidconnection, to strain to rigidity, under force said combinedinstrumentalities.

2. The combination with an upper shelf, of a lower shelf, a plurality ofinterposed risers removable between said upper and lower shelves, andmeans for straining under tension to rigidity, said shelves and risers.

3. The combination with a base shelf, of an upper shelf, an intermediateshelf, risers removable between said intermediate and base IIO and uppershelves, and mechanism to strain under tension to rigidity said shelvesand risers, to form a rigid shelf structure.

4. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, connectionsuniting said shelves, an intermediate shelf, risers removable betweensaid intermediate and top and base shelves, said risers being positionedadjacent said connections, and take-up mechanisms secured to saidconnections, to strain to rigidity under force, said instrumeutalitiesto form a shelf structure.

5. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, an intermediateshelf, connections uniting said base and top shelves, 3. springinterposed between said connections and shelves, and take-up mechanismssecured to said connections to strain to rigidity under elastic force,said combined shelves and risers, to form a shelf structure. 6. Thecombination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, risers between saidshelves having one of their vertical surfaces or edges grooved,aconnection extending from said base to said top shelf, and held withinsaid edge grooves, and means to strain to rigidity under force saidshelves and risers.

7. The combination in a shelf, of a base, a top shelf, a plurality ofrisers positioned between said base and top shelves, each of said risersbeing provided with a verticalgroove, a plurality of wire connectionsextending from said base to said top shelf, each wire connection passingthrough one of said grooves, and a take-up mechanism secured to each ofsaid connections to strain said shelves and risers to rigidity underforce, to provide a shelf structure.

8. The combination with a base shelf, of a connection extending fromsaid base shelf, a top shelf, a plurality of interposed shelves, risersbetween said base, top and intermediate shelves, a spring secured tosaid connection, and a take-up mechanism secured to said connection tostrain to rigidity under elastic force, said combined instrumentalitiesto form a shelf structure.

9. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, a connectionextending from said base to said top shelf, a spring interposed betweensaid connections and one of said shelves, a plurality of sectionalrisers interposed between said shelves, and a take-up mechanism securedto said connection, to strain to rigidity under elastic force, saidcombined instrumentalities to form a shelf structure.

10. The combination with abase shelf, of a top shelf, connectionsextending from said base shelf to said top shelf, risers interposedbetween said top and base shelf, a take-up mechanism secured to saidconnections, so that said iustrnmentalities may be strained to rigidityunder force to form a shelf structure, each of aforesaid risers beingprovided near the upper ends with a horizontal groove, a door adapted towork between said risers, said door upon opposite edges being providedwith a groove adapted to register with aforesaid grooves within saidrisers, and sliding members'adapted to rest within the slots of saidrisers, and door, to provide a hanger.

11. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, risers interposedbetween said base shelf and secured to said shelves and top shelf, eachriser being provided with a vertical and horizontal ledge near theirforward and upper edges, a groove Within each riser horizontally andadjacent said upper ledge,

a door-frame, a groove Within the sides of' said door-frame, a slidingmember adapted to work within the groove of said riser and door-frame,and a take-up mechanism secured to said connections, so that saidinstrumentalities may be strained to rigidity under force to provide ashelf structure, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with a base shelf, of a top shelf, risers interposedand held between and secured to said shelves, each riser being providednear the upper edge upon the inside with a horizontal groove, adoor-frame adapted to work between said top and base shelves and betweensaid risers, said door-frame being provided upon two outer oppositeedges with a groove, and a sliding member adapted to simultaneously workwithin the grooves of said risers and door-frame, to slidably supportsaid door-frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.-

' GEORGE W. SUES. Witnesses:

' EMILY B. MAYSTRICK, LULU M'. CURTTRIGHT.

